The Foundation

“If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Joh 4:39  Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his word.  They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”  After the two days he departed for Galilee.  (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.)  So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

1 Corinthians 2:4     and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Ezekiel 13:6    They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.

Romans 16:18     For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

With the internet and access to mountains of information we have to be diligent to build and continue to build and fortify our Faith.  The foundation of our Faith is Christ.  Building on this foundation is what keeps our heart, mind, and soul anchored and by which we can discern that which is good, true, right and pure.  Things get twisted very quickly when our attention turns from building on our foundation (Christ) to things of this world that propel us away from humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying.  Take care to continue to build that which was started in you through faith in Christ.

Sword of Judgement

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

 

Psalms 7:12
If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;  he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.

Isaiah 55:6-7
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 31:18
I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Matthew 3:10
Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Acts 3:19
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Deuteronomy 32:41
if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.

Isaiah 34:5
For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.

Ezekiel 21:23   But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.

We don’t seem to talk about God’s wrath and judgement awaiting those who do not repent.  We live in a time of grace and mercy and this seems to keep us content and maybe even a bit complacent.  Shouldn’t we talk about both His love/grace/mercy and His wrath/judgement?  How will people know of the need to repent and turn away from their life apart from honoring God?  Each of us given this grace has a responsibility to tell others of God.  Ask God to lead you in paths/people to proclaim the need for salvation and His redemptive work through Christ.